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THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will look to repeat as Southland Conference Tournament champions as it begins play in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.
Like last season, Nicholls (20-10, 14-4 SLC) enters the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the conference. The Colonels won eight of its final nine in 2018 to spark their tournament run, and this year, the Red and Gray head to Katy winners of seven straight. The only difference is the Colonels secured the No. 3 seed and will play on the other side of the bracket.
The four-day tournament will be held once again in the Merrell Center. With a single bye, the Colonels will take on No. 6 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which defeated No. 7 New Orleans, 69-47, on Thursday.
Nicholls had won school-record 19 games twice under head coach DoBee Plaisance and their victory over Southeastern Louisiana gave the Colonels 20 wins for the first time in program history. The 14 victories in the Southland was also a school record, as was their 11-1 record at home. The current seven-game winning streak also matches the program's best.
Senior guard Cassidy Barrios leads the Colonels with a league-best 20.7 points per game and 10.8 rebounds. The reigning Southland Tournament MVP posted a Southland-high 19 double-doubles this season, including one against the Islanders. She made history Monday after becoming the first player in program history to her All-Southland First Team twice.
The Red and Gray have a 5-9 record all-time in the Southland Conference Tournament after winning all three games last season for their first-ever title. Nicholls made the postseason only three times before Coach Plaisance took over in 2008-09, and the Colonels will be making their eighth consecutive appearance.
AGAINST THE ISLANDERS
Nicholls won the only meeting against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 85-55, in Thibodaux on Jan. 23. Cassidy Barrios had a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Tykeria Williams scored a season-high 19.
The Colonels have won the last two matchups, improving to 9-8 all-time against the Islanders. Nicholls and A&M-Corpus Christi met last year in the quarterfinals as well, with Barrios' block at the buzzer securing a 61-59 victory.
FOLLOW ALONG
The first three rounds will stream on ESPN+s. The women's championship on Sunday will air on CBS Sports Network.
Press conferences will be available live on the Southland Conference Digital Network at southland.org/live and the Southland Conference app.
For the most up-to-date information, follow the Colonel basketball team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.
